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Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed Assumes Duty As Artistic Director/CEO Of NTN

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The substantive Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Troupe of Nigeria Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed has formerly assumed office. Ahmed succeeds Comrade Tar Ukoh whose tenure as Artistic Director ended on March 31. Ahmed whose appointment takes effect from April 30, 2021 promised to revitalise the National Troupe and reposition the Troupe for effective service delivery and the demonstration of Nigeria’s advancing cultures. The new Artistic Director stated this while addressing management and staff of the NTN at the Troupe’s temporary office space at the National Theatre Annex in Lagos. He had earlier held a similar meeting with staff of the Abuja Liaison Office of the NTN.
Ahmed holds a Master of Arts (MA) Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Jos, with a certified Project Management certificate (PMD Pro 1).  He served Bauchi State Government until his retirement in 2020 as a Director in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.  While serving with Bauchi State Ministry of Information and Culture, and later Ministry of tourism and Culture, Ahmed has facilitated many productions and demonstrated skills in presenting cultural practices of Bauchi State through performing arts medium (drama, dance and dance-drama), especially towards packaging for   Bauchi State Festival of Arts and Culture (BAFEST), National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), Abuja Carnivals, and host of other independent productions.  As a UNICEF trained “Theatre for Development” practitioner, Ahmed was able to build capacities of over 40 local theatre groups across northern states of Nigeria including Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Adamawa and Kano.  The Hausa film industry, popularly known as Kannywood also benefitted from his artistic expertise.
Ahmed contributed to many cultural journals including African Women Drama and performances published in 2011.
Ahmed is also multi-disciplined as he ventured into public health with skills in Communication for Development where he contributed immensely to addressing maternal, newborn, child health and reproductive health in northern Nigeria when he was seconded to work with funded projects of USAID, DFID and UNICEF. In appreciation of his contribution to the health sector, Ahmed was nominated by his ministry to serve in the Governing Board of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Authority (2017 to June 2019), while the Governor also appointed him to serve in the Standing Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility for the Bauchi State Health Sector (May 2016 to June 2019). Ahmed also made a presentation at the APHA Annual Pre-Conference CBPHC Workshop in Boston, Massachusetts, USA in November, 2013 titled: Targeting Vulnerable Women and Children in Communities of Bauchi and Sokoto States, Nigeria for improved MNCH/RH/FP Delivery.  He has written series of unpublished plays including The Royal Ring, Sins of the Fathers, One with a Difference, A Drama of Life, and published articles in Nigeria’s newspapers such as: Quest for a New Vision, Man’s Endless Journey, UNICEF for World Posterity, and a number of poems (Dying Ember, A Simple Dance, Wilted et al).
His specific areas of expertise include community engagement, theatre for development, social behaviour change communication, project management, human resource management, and evidence-based advocacy. His skills cuts across building capacities of various professionals (program managers and officers) of theatre practitioners, civil society organizations and media in evidence-based advocacy, community action cycle, theatre for development, behavior change and media design in line with Communication for Development strategy, resource mobilization, strategic and team building, social and community mobilization.

 Ahmed is married with six (6) children.  He also holds two (2) traditional titles of DANMALIKIN UBANDOMAN BAUCHI, and SARDAUNAN ZANDAM.

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Tradition Meets Tomorrow at Tingo AI Radio Event

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In an electrifying celebration of innovation and heritage, Tingo AI Radio—Africa’s first AI radio—hosted a landmark meet and greet in Lagos. Indigenous leaders, youth, and tech enthusiasts converged at a vibrant community center to witness demonstrations of cutting-edge robotic automations and awe-inspiring AI innovations. Visitors marveled as state-of-the-art robots showcased capabilities from precision agricultural tasks to interactive cultural storytelling. “Today’s event proves that technology can amplify our traditions rather than replace them,” remarked community elder Chief Adewale. Panel discussions and live demos highlighted how these digital breakthroughs could empower local industries and education. Organizers emphasized that the blend of indigenous wisdom and modern science offers a transformative future for Lagos. Interactive sessions allowed participants to get hands-on experience with digital interfaces and robotic programming. Tingo AI Radio, celebrated as Africa’s first AI radio, is setting new standards in media by merging technology with community values. As the day concluded, excitement and optimism filled the air, paving the way for future workshops that promise even greater collaboration between traditional practices and technological progress. This event marks a significant milestone in Lagos’ journey toward digital empowerment and cultural preservation.

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Court grants Jude Okoye N100m bail in money laundering case

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The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, granted Jude Okoye, the former manager of the now-defunct music group P-Square, bail in the amount of N100 million.

 

Justice Alexander Owoeye approved the bail, stipulating two sureties, each with a similar amount in value. The court also placed a travel restriction on Okoye, prohibiting him from leaving the country.

 

One of the sureties, the judge ruled, must be the owner of a landed property, among other requirements.

 

 

Okoye, the elder sibling of Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square, was arraigned last Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of money laundering. The charges involve ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.

 

The EFCC also charged Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, with acquiring a property in 2022 at 5 Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. The property, worth ₦850 million, was allegedly purchased using funds that Okoye knew, or should have known, were proceeds of criminal activities.

 

 

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ED of NFVCB, Honored with Prestigious Fellow of Theatre Profession Award

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The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) has conferred the
esteemed Fellow of Theatre Profession award upon Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive
Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). NANTAP says the
award of Fellow of Theatre Arts (fta) was awarded to theatre practitioner, film journalist, culture
advocate and administrator in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth and
development of theatre practice in Nigeria.

The award ceremony took place on Sunday, February 22, at the Glover Hall, Lagos, and was
attended by distinguished personalities in the Nigerian culture, theatre and film industries
including the General Manager of National Theatre Tola Akerele, Culture activist and
programme chairman of Coalition For Relevant Arts (CORA) Jahman Anikulapo, Chairman of
the Body of Fellows of NANTAP Prof Duro Oni, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
NANTAP and Chairman of Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), Mahmood Ali-Balogun,  Veteran actor
Norbert Young and the veteran actress Joke Silva Jacobs who was also honoured at the event.
NANTAP had noted in the citation read before the NFVCB ED was decorated that Dr. Shaibu
has made significant strides in promoting Nigerian dance, theatre and film, both locally and
internationally. NANTAP also acknowledged that Dr. Shaibu’s recent appointment as ED/CEO
of NFVCB has been instrumental in shaping the country's film industry.


The NFVCB boss thanked NANTAP for the prestigious honour and recognition which he
described as not just a personal recognition, but also a testament to the hard work, dedication and
passion of every individual who has contributed to the growth and development of theatre
practice in Nigeria, ‘’I am grateful, honoured and proud to be part of a community that has
consistently pushed the boundaries of creativity, innovation and excellence. Since the reward for
hard work is more work, I commit to continue working tirelessly to promote and advance the
cause of theatre and film arts in Nigeria’’ the ED said.

The Fellow of Theatre Profession award is the highest honor bestowed by NANTAP, recognizing
individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and commitment to the
advancement of theatre arts in Nigeria. Those who were inducted into the body of fellows of
NANTAP alongside the NFVCB ED include Joke Silva Jacobs, Sam Uche- Anyamele and
Bolanle Austen-Peters.

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